Uptown Honors Black Excellence
Some of Hollywood's young and seasoned performers and campaigners were recognized before the Oscars for their great work and services to the business.
For over a decade, Lexus and Uptown Magazine have collaborated to offer the annual Lexus Uptown Honors Hollywood, the only awards ceremony during Oscars week dedicated to recognizing the efforts of Black creatives in the entertainment business, both in front of and behind the camera. This year, they celebrated four trailblazing Black men who have transformed the film and television landscapes through their storytelling, representation, and cultural impact.
Those in attendance discussed how people, particularly Black men, received their bouquets when they could enjoy the affection.
“Listen, I’ll tell you this. It means something to get your flowers while you’re still alive, right? A lot of times people say, ‘Aww man, I love your work,’ or whatever, but then they don’t really say anything,” Dorsey Jr. shared. “And I just lost one of my best friends, Erica Ash. May she rest in peace. She was my prom date. We went to the same DeKalb County school in high school, the DeKalb School of Performing Arts. … And I felt like she didn’t get the flowers she deserved while she was here. She was our Lucille Ball. And not until she passed away did people start pouring out like that.”
To begin the wonderful night celebrating Black greatness, vocalist Sheléa Frazier, a special guest on several dates of Stevie Wonder's farewell tour, sang Eric Clapton's "Change the World."
The evening felt like a homecoming for everyone in attendance, including the awardees, who were thrilled to be in a room full of not just their peers from their community, but also to be championed and reaffirmed for how important they are to the entertainment business. Throughout their acceptance remarks, the prize recipients demonstrated a sense of friendship and brotherhood.
Nicholson, who received the Rising Icon Award for his roles in P-Valley, Albany Road, They Cloned Tyrone, Just Mercy, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker, and other films, was the first to thank his fellow recipients for their support along the way.
“All these tables here and everyone I’m being honored here with tonight, it was a time where, you know, I just came up to you gentlemen and said, ‘Hey man, I love your work. I appreciate you,'” he said during his acceptance speech. “You all came and saw me on Broadway. Or Blair and I spending six months, whether it was in Toronto or New York, working on A Soldier’s Play, then Madam C.J. Walker. Meth, to share this room with you, brother. Man, shout out the Wu [-Tang Clan].”
Dorsey Jr. received the Empowerment in Entertainment Award. He has been performing for almost 20 years and presently acts in Max's Bookie.
“Blair, I remember watching you when I was like 12, 13 years old. Friday nights, man, watching L.A. Law. Watching this dashing man, this dude who has so much swag, this young dude. And I was like, ‘Man, one day I want to be just like that cat man,’ you know? And I remember I was really hating you when I saw Just Cause. [I was like], ‘Damn, this motherf****r ain’t s**t,'” he joked
He shouted out fellow nominee, Blair Underwood in his acceptance speech. The Queen Sugar star then spoke about his warm memories of Nicholson and Method Man.
“J. Alphonse, you know you my baby brother, man. I love you, man. I remember when we came down to Atlanta [and] you started doing P-Valley. The first year, nobody really knew who you were. You know I was taking you out, ‘Hey man, it’s my city. Turn up, turn up.’ About a year or two later, everybody’s pushing me out the way to go hang with Murda. So, you know, that’s how life goes,” Dorsey said. “Yo, Meth! Man, I forgot to tell you this, bro. Yo, me and Dorian used to ride around [in] 1993, this is real talk. I remember when ‘Protect Ya Neck’ came out. That single came out, right? And we was riding around in that sh***y car, and I remember we just listening to it, and then when it flipped, it was the M-E-T-H. I’m listening, I was like, ‘What is this?’ I never heard it. I knew that was a hard song, but I heard the spit on it. I was like, ‘Yo, this is my favorite rapper in the world!'”
Method Man earned the Vanguard Award. He gave a touching statement that reminded everyone that representation is more than just creating art, stating that all of the words "came from his heart and ChatGPT."
“Your work speaks to the power of storytelling and the importance of representation. We are not just making art. We are changing perceptions, breaking barriers and amplifying voices that have too long been silenced,” the rapper said. “As we gather to honor these achievements, let us also remember that the fight is far from over. Our journey toward equality, justice and opportunity continues. The work we do, both on and off screen, has the potential to influence change in profound ways. Our debt of gratitude to the talent and creators who have been a part of this journey with me.”
Underwood is celebrating 40 years in the profession this year. His illustrious career has included appearances in numerous popular and timeless TV episodes, films, and plays, including Dirty Sexy Money, In Treatment, L.A. Law, Set It Off, When They See Us, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker, Madea's Family Reunion, and A Soldiers Play.
“I feel honored, man. Phonse, man, it’s been incredible. We did South Bay in 2019, and to watch you go from that to Broadway and P-Valley and just watch your career blow up in the last four or five years. It’s an amazing thing and so well deserved, brother. It’s beautiful to watch,” he said. “Method Man! Come on, man. How can I be down? I just want to be as cool as you when I grow up. Nah, it’s an honor, brother. Been a fan forever and a day. Omar, man. You mentioned something. Just congratulations on all of your success in the work you’re doing. This is my 40th year in the business.”
Adding, ““This is a tremendous honor moment. When I look at your work, Phonse. I look at your work, Method Man. The transition you’ve made from mastery of music to actor. I look at your work, Omar, man. The beautiful tapestry of Black excellence is in full effect. And I’m just honored to share the stage with you tonight and to be in the same conversation with your name. So God bless you.”
Photo: Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Lexus Uptown Honors